Traore (what's that all about? if play him , play him in midfield as only has pace and a decent cross) ... Dunne and Anouha as our regular centre backs, Faurlin and Barton in the centre with Hoilett and A.N. Other on the right with Austin and Johnson upfront! Henry hmmm not sure ... Simpson question marks but replaces the mono brow so happy to give a chance with Harriman given a go when needed. Taarabt has all the ability but we have to accommodate too much and so not bothered if he goes or that he wasn't even a sub today! Urrrs
Hard to say that Redknapp got it wrong. Most of us at the pub were surprised at Traore over Suk-Young Yun, but not by Hill and Onouha; Dunne is still getting his fitness levels up. I don't think anyone had even considered the possibility of Barton playing, that was a complete bolt out of the blue. Faurlin would have been equally surprising but we'd heard a rumour about him starting. Welcome to the forum Gladstone.
Zamora was shocking, slow and cumbersome. Seemed to lack any deal of skill or ability. Sad, but I wonder if his time is up.
I thought the same. I know he was being pulled and held down a lot but his constant whining and moaning to the lino surely didn't do his cause any good. Was my one negative of the whole game yesterday. I would think AJ/Austin are gonna be the prefered attacking option from now on.....PLEASE !!
Still don't understand why he didn't have the operation on his hip in the preseason, but presumably the decision was taken on medical advice
I think Harold picked the team based on attitude in training and squad interaction. Still surprised that Traore got picked on that basis, and that Mbia and Granero weren't at least on the bench, but he should have information and insight that we can't be privy too. I know it all depends on buyers, contracts etc etc but I would really like us to get rid of the ones we don't want/don't want to be here as quickly as possible, so at least the core of the squad know who they will be playing this ludicrously long season next to. 46 games of the quality of yesterday will only be bearable if we win the vast majority.
The only one who I thought played well under the levels needed yesterday was Henry, wasn't surprised but don't really underdstand how he got to play before any one of Jenas, M'bia, Derry or Granero.
There was a report from the wolves game on TFLS and they said they were glad to get rid of "older players" and "losers". It made me laugh.
More than half the team being over 30 is not good, it should be 2 or 3. In 2 years, we will have to replace half the team yet again.
Good, bad or indifferent season, most teams look to bring in a number of new faces in close season. Don't think we need to be concerned with player replacement. If we get the right sort of player on a sensible contract for a couple of years then so be it.
Two problems with our 'better alternatives'. First, these were the players who contributed to our recent demise (admittedly alongside some of our current line-up). Second, and probably more importantly, I don't think their interested in playing for us, especially in the second tier.
I hope so too, they said he's not had an offer of a new contract yet, but Tony tweeted good things about him, how long is his current deal ?
